Tablecloth with inflatable structures

ABSTRACT

A party tablecloth includes one or more inflatable structures that extend upwardly from a top side of the tablecloth to provide an ornamental centerpiece that corresponds with a desired celebratory theme, such as a birthday or holiday. The centerpiece may also function as an activity in which people seated at the table can participate, such as a miniature basketball, hockey or soccer game. At least one valve is provided for inflating and deflating the centerpiece structures. In a preferred embodiment, the tablecloth and inflatable structures are formed as one piece from a non-absorbent material, such as a polyvinyl composition, that is easy to wash and wipe clean.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This non-provisional patent application is based on provisional patentapplication Ser. No. 61/208,791 filed Feb. 27, 2009.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a tablecloth with a centerpiecestructure and, more particularly, to a party tablecloth having one ormore inflatable structures integrally formed with the tablecloth on thetop side thereof, and wherein the inflatable structures correspond to aparticular theme for a birthday, holiday or other special occasion, andfurther wherein the inflatable structures may provide a table activityfor active participation by people seated at the table.

DISCUSSION OF THE RELATED ART

Parties are often held to celebrate special occasions and holidays.Guests are invited to gather and celebrate by socializing and consumingfood and drink. Party decorations that correspond with the particulartheme of the occasion or holiday are an essential element to create afestive atmosphere. Typically, party decorations include balloons,banners, disposable (e.g., paper) tablecloths, decorative centerpiecesfor tables, and decorative napkins. Disposable cups and plates withornamental designs and colors may also be provided to correspond withthe particular party theme. Decorating a party area, including numeroustables, can often be the most costly aspect of holding a party.Additionally, decorating numerous tables with tablecloths, centerpieces,napkins and dining ware is time consuming. The creation of ornamentaltable decorations, such as a centerpiece, may also be a time consumingand expensive ordeal. Once the party gets under way, and particularly achildren's birthday party, many of the decorations are quickly removedfrom the table and, in some instances, are destroyed. When the partyends, the cleanup process is every bit as time consuming as setting upthe decorations. And, some of the decorations, such as papertablecloths, cannot be reused and are simply discarded in the trash.

Accordingly, there remains a need for an easier and more cost effectivemeans for decorating a party area, and particularly the tables at aparty. More specifically, there is a definite need for a one piecereusable and washable tablecloth with a collapsible and ornamentalcenterpiece that corresponds with a particular party theme.

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

Considering the foregoing, it is a primary object of the presentinvention to provide a party tablecloth with an integral and ornamentalcenterpiece structure that is easy to wipe clean and collapse forstorage and subsequent use.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a partytablecloth having one or more integral inflatable structures on a topside of the tablecloth, and wherein the inflatable structures extendupwardly when inflated to provide an ornamental centerpiece thatcorresponds with a desired celebratory theme, such as a birthday orholiday.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a partytablecloth that includes one or more inflatable structures for providingan ornamental centerpiece, and wherein the tablecloth and inflatablestructures are integrally formed from a non-absorbent material, such asa polyvinyl composition, that is easy to wash and wipe clean forsubsequent use.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide awashable party tablecloth that includes one or more inflatablestructures, and wherein the tablecloth releasably attaches to the tableto hold the tablecloth and inflatable centerpiece structures in fixedposition throughout a party.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide awashable party tablecloth including one or more inflatable centerpiecestructures, and wherein the party tablecloth is easy to install andremove from a table, thereby minimizing the time to decorate before aparty and also minimizing the time to cleanup after a party.

It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide awashable party tablecloth that includes one or more inflatablecenterpiece structures, and wherein the party tablecloth is affordableand reusable.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a partytablecloth that includes one or more inflatable structures that create atable activity such as a miniature basketball, hockey, or soccer game,to entertain the party guests seated at the table.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide awashable party tablecloth that includes one or more inflatablecenterpiece structures, and wherein the tablecloth further includes anelectronic sound producing device that plays music and/or a voicemessage.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention arereadily apparent with reference to the detailed description andaccompanying drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a party tablecloth with one or moreinflatable structures that extend upwardly from a top side of thetablecloth to provide an ornamental centerpiece that corresponds with adesired celebratory theme, such as a birthday or holiday. Thecenterpiece may also function as an activity in which people seated atthe table can participate, such as a miniature basketball, hockey orsoccer game. At least one valve is provided for inflating and deflatingthe centerpiece structures. In a preferred embodiment, the tableclothand inflatable structures are formed as one piece from a non-absorbentmaterial, such as a polyvinyl composition, that is easy to wash and wipeclean.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a fuller understanding of the nature of the present invention,reference should be made to the following detailed description taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front, top perspective view showing one preferred embodimentof the party tablecloth of the present invention installed on a table;

FIG. 2 is a front, top perspective view showing a second preferredembodiment of the party tablecloth of the present invention installed ona table and providing a table activity in the form of a miniaturebasketball game;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view in cross-section showing the inflatedinterior chamber of the several inflated structures on the top side ofthe tablecloth; and

FIG. 4 is an isolated side elevational view, in partial cross-section,illustrating releasable attachment of the tablecloth to an edge of atable using hook and loop fasteners.

Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several viewsof the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the several views of the drawings, and initially FIG. 1,the present invention is shown and directed to a party tablecloth 10 forinstallation on a table 20. In each of the several preferred embodimentsof the invention, the party tablecloth 10 includes a flexible sheet 30forming a base that covers the top table surface and drapes downwardlyon the sides of the table. The party tablecloth 10 further includes oneor more inflatable structures 40 on a top side of the flexible sheetbase. The one or more inflatable structures are preferably positionedwithin a central area on a top side 32 of the sheet base 30 and extendupwardly when inflated, as seen in FIGS. 1-3. The inflatable structures40 form a decorative centerpiece and are filled with air or another gasusing a pump (electric or manual powered) or orally by forced exhalationusing one's lung power.

One or more valves 44 are provided for directing a forced flow of airinto the inflatable structures 40 to fill interior air chambers 46. Thevalves 44 also function to allow release of the air (or other gas) fromthe air chambers 46 in order to deflate the inflatable structures afteruse of the party tablecloth.

The sheet base 30 and one or more inflatable structures 40 arepreferably formed as an integral one piece unit from a non-absorbentmaterial such as a polyvinyl composition or polyvinyl chloride (PVC)that is easy to wash and wipe clean after a party for future use.

The inflatable structures 40, providing a centerpiece on the partytablecloth, correspond with a particular party theme. For example, FIG.1 illustrates a girl's birthday party theme with the inflatablestructures 40 forming female rock stars 50, musical instruments 52, andan audio speaker 54 presented on a stage 56. An electronic soundproducing device (not shown) may also be incorporated within thecenterpiece structure for playing a prerecorded segment of a song and/ora voice message. Both the inflatable centerpiece 40 and sheet base 30may be printed with colorful graphics that correspond with theparticular theme, such as the word “DOLLZ” in FIG. 1 corresponding witha female rock and roll group or the word “HOOPS” with the basketballtheme shown in FIG. 2.

The inflatable centerpiece structures 40 may also serve to provide atable activity for entertaining the guests seated at the table. Forexample, FIG. 2 illustrates a basketball theme, wherein the inflatablecenterpiece structure 40 forms a miniature basketball game havingmultisided backboards 60 and baskets 62 allowing the guests seated ateach side of the table to participate in a miniature basketball game.Other sports themes, including, but not limited to, soccer and hockeyare contemplated as well as other active participation games.

Referring to FIG. 4, the sheet base 30 of the tablecloth 10 may bereleasably secured to the table 20 so that the sheet base 30 andinflatable centerpiece structures 40 do not become moved or separatedfrom the table during a party. Specifically, the bottom side 34 of thesheet base 30 may be provided with one component 70 of a hook and loopfastener for releasable engagement with the corresponding component 72of a hook and loop releasable fastener that is fixed to the table. In apreferred embodiment, the hook and loop fastener component 72 on thetable 20 is secured to the vertical side edge 22 of the tabletop, asshown in FIG. 4. Use of these releasable fasteners, to secure the partytablecloth 10 in place, helps to withstand the forces of the activeparticipants seated at the table, particularly children, as well as windand other. external forces that may otherwise cause the tablecloth to belifted, moved and/or dislodged from the table top.

While the present invention has been shown and described in accordancewith several preferred and practical embodiments, it is recognized thatdepartures from the instant disclosure are fully contemplated in thespirit and scope of the present invention.

1. A table decorating apparatus comprising: a base sheet formed of aflexible polyvinyl composition and including a top side and a bottomside, and said base sheet defining a tablecloth for covering a tablesurface; at least one inflatable structure extending upwardly from thetop side of said base sheet and including a sealable airtight interiorchamber adapted to be filled with a gas to inflate said structure; andat least one valve communicating with the interior chamber of saidinflatable structure for filling the interior chamber with the gas andfor releasing the gas from the interior chamber.
 2. The apparatus asrecited in claim 1 wherein said at least one inflatable structure isattached to the top side of said base sheet.
 3. The apparatus as recitedin claim 2 wherein said at least one inflatable structure is formed ofthe same flexible polyvinyl composition of said base sheet.
 4. Theapparatus as recited in claim 3 wherein said at least one inflatablestructure is formed and shaped as an animated character.
 5. Theapparatus as recited in claim 3 wherein said at least one inflatablestructure is a component of an interactive activity.
 6. The apparatus asrecited in claim 3 wherein further comprising a plurality of saidinflatable structures extending upwardly from the top side of said basesheet.
 7. The apparatus as recited in claim 3 further comprising: aplurality of said inflatable structures each extending upwardly from thetop side of said base sheet and each of said plurality of inflatablestructures including a sealable airtight interior chamber adapted to befilled with the gas to inflate said plurality of inflatable structures;and each of said plurality of inflatable structures including said valvecommunicating with the interior chamber for filling the interior chamberwith the gas and for releasing the gas from the interior chamber.
 8. Atable decorating apparatus comprising: a base sheet formed of a flexiblepolyvinyl composition and including a top side and a bottom side, andsaid base sheet defining a tablecloth for covering a table surface; atleast one inflatable structure formed of a flexible polyvinylcomposition and attached to and extending upwardly from the top side ofsaid base sheet and including a sealable airtight interior chamberadapted to be filled with a gas to inflate said structure; and at leastone valve communicating with the interior chamber of said inflatablestructure for filling the interior chamber with the gas and forreleasing the gas from the interior chamber.
 9. The apparatus as recitedin claim 8 wherein at least one inflatable structure is integrallyformed with said base sheet.
 10. The apparatus as recited in claim 8wherein said at least one inflatable structure is formed and shaped asan animated character.
 11. The apparatus as recited in claim 8 whereinsaid at least one inflatable structure is a component of an interactiveactivity.
 12. The apparatus as recited in claim 8 wherein furthercomprising a plurality of said inflatable structures extending upwardlyfrom the top side of said base sheet.
 13. The apparatus as recited inclaim 8 further comprising: a plurality of said inflatable structureseach extending upwardly from the top side of said base sheet and each ofsaid plurality of inflatable structures including a sealable airtightinterior chamber adapted to be filled with the gas to inflate saidplurality of inflatable structures; and each of said plurality ofinflatable structures including said valve communicating with theinterior chamber for filling the interior chamber with the gas and forreleasing the gas from the interior chamber.
 14. The apparatus asrecited in claim 11 wherein said at least one inflatable structure is abasketball backboard and hoop.
 15. The apparatus as recited in claim 11wherein said at least one inflatable structure is a hockey goal.
 16. Theapparatus as recited in claim 11 wherein said at least one inflatablestructure is a soccer goal.